"I prefer the cottage" said the Libera Awards' host and indie-punk stalwart Ted Leo during his introduction to the annual event, organized by the independent label umbrella A2IM and held at the Manhattan Center, which celebrates and recognizes the year's best in independent music and business. Leo was referencing the nature of industry he prefers, disdainfully recalling his salty brushes with the major label system. The assembled leaders of independent music, many of whom might have had similar experiences, were happy to hear it.

Taking an approach similar to its constituents' taste, the Liberas -- now in their fifth year -- keep it fast and fun. Winners are as likely to take the stage in a T-shirt -- like Sub Pop co-founder Jonathan Poneman, who accepted Label of the Year in a vintage "Loser" T-shirt -- as they are a suit. (Some winners weren't even in the audience proper -- one winner had to make his way to the stage from the upper deck. "I hope your dinner is good," he said, dripping with sarcasm and smiling towards table-sat guests.)

Previous Lifetime Achievement winner Pat Chin, founder of the legendary reggae label VP Records, introduced out Curb Records' Mike Curb, accepting the evening's Lifetime Achievement Award. Curb founded his label with $3,000 received from the licensing of his band's song "You Meet the Nicest People in a Honda" in the early '60s. (One guess as to who licensed it.) "I learned along time ago in business you need to find people better than yourself."

Naughty By Nature were honored with the Independent Icon award, and made repeated references to Tom Silverman, in attendance, saying the executive "has been one of the best record label owners ever."

The 2016 "Libby" awards featured its first ever multi-performance lineup. Nosaj Thing, the eminently promising (but underserved by the din of the room) Torres, Mac DeMarco, who played a tongue-in-cheek solo number ("big finish comin' up here," he said, grinning) and Naughty By Nature, who closed out the evening -- although the assembled crowd hung around chatting for another hour.

Alabama Shakes was the big winners, taking out prizes for album of the year, best live act, and best sync usage. Th band capped a career-year when their sophomore set Sound & Color (ATO Records) beat out recordings from Beach House Courtney Barnett, Jamie xx, Sufjan Stevens, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Kamasi Washington to win the honor.

Sound & Color last year earned Alabama Shakes their first No. 1 on the Billboard 200, eclipsing the No. 6 peak of its predecessor, 2012’s Boys & Girls.

Other multiple winners at the 2016 "Libby" awards included Run The Jewels (Mass Appeal Records), who took out marketing genius and video of the year for “Close Your Eyes”; and Washington, whose three-disc American Music Prize-winner The Epic (Brainfeeder) took home Libbys for groundbreaking and heritage album of the year.

Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett added another trophy to her collection with breakthrough artist honors for Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit (Mom + Pop Music)